Queensland’s Southern Cross Soloists (SXS) have today announced the cancelation of its annual Bangalow Chamber Music Festival. This year’s event was to be the 21st iteration of the festival.

Citing “increased costs and lower than average ticket sales”, SXS has made the decision “with heavy hearts”.

Cancelled: Bangalow Music Festival. Photo supplied

In its place, SXS will be offering a one-day, two concert bespoke taster event with headline artists Australian guitarist Slava Grigoryan, Finnish pianist Paavali Jumppanen and Polish violinist Jakub Jakowicz on Sunday 18 August, at the Shambala Estate winery in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The move is expected to be a permanent relocation and it is hoped the event will attract local and State government funding as Queensland prepares for the 2032 Brisbane Cultural Olympiad.

In partnership with Tamborine Mountain Arts Precinct (TMAP), a non-profit organisation formed in 2023, SXS aims to establish a culture precinct in the area, says SXS Chair Marg O’Donnell. “It is a unique opportunity to engage with TMAP and to assist in the process of establishing of a world-class arts precinct for Tamborine Mountain that can also serve as an Emergency Hub for a region that has been hit hard by climactic events.”

“We all know arts venues are in much need and assist greatly with the well-being and social cohesion of communities in order for them to thrive. We are proud to put our 20-year brand energies of our Chamber Music Festival behind this new long-term venture.”

Founded in 2002, the Bangalow Chamber Festival (BCMF) was known for bringing virtuosic national and international talent – along with interstate tourists’ dollars – to the region.

Tania Frazer, the Artistic Director of the Festival since 2011 said, “This decision has been a difficult one, and not something we have taken lightly. The financial landscape has changed significantly since the festival’s inception, especially with the area’s growing popularity, making it increasingly expensive to host events. As a non-profit organisation relying solely on ticket sales, this presents a significant challenge. While bidding farewell to Bangalow is bittersweet, we’re deeply grateful for the unwavering support from its community Members.”

The announcement comes in the wake of the postponing and cancellation of several major festivals across regional Australia, including Hobart’s Mona Foma and the NSW South Coast’s Four Winds, and a just-released report from Creative Australia, Soundcheck: Insights into Australia’s music festival sector, a first-time survey of the health and future of the festival circuit.